Remembering Past Evils: The Somber March Through Auschwitz-Birkenau
Multitudes honor Holocaust martyrs during the "March of Living" event.
Each year, thousands from around the globe partake in the annually held "March of the Living," an educational program that serves to remember the dark history of the Holocaust. This solemn event takes place in Poland, where participants walk three kilometers between Auschwitz and Birkenau, the German extermination camps during the Nazi era.
Referring to the devastating impact of the Holocaust, this tragic event unfolded 80 years ago, and yet it still resonates powerfully today. Noteworthy attendees of the march included Israel's President Izchak Herzog, Poland's leader Andrzej Duda, and released Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip. The Israeli delegation also included relatives of prisoners still incarcerated in Gaza and families of terror victims.
The power of remembrance was underscored as the march commenced, with the shofar's haunting blasts signaling the beginning of the journey. Passing through the infamous gate bearing the cynical inscription "Arbeit macht frei," survivors, participants, and dignitaries walked in reverent silence.
Eli Scharabi, a survivor of the 2023 Hamas terror attack, emphatically stated, "We'll never forget or forgive the horrors of the Holocaust. Each representative of the October 7 delegation here is a triumph of light for the Jewish people, serving as a relentless reminder of the Jewish people's enduring existence."
The March of the Living, founded in 1988 by Israeli leaders Abraham Hirchson, Shmuel Rosenman, and Baruch Adler, has become an essential event for Holocaust remembrance and education. Every year, thousands of students, survivors, and dignitaries participate to honor the memory of the millions lost during the Holocaust and to recall the sacrifices of survivors and liberators. The March also aims to combat contemporary antisemitism and intolerance (1).
The march's route takes participants on a journey from the Auschwitz camp entrance, adorned with the notorious sign "Arbeit macht frei," to Birkenau, the largest extermination camp during the Nazi era. This trek leads walkers through the very sites where countless lives were cruelly taken, underscoring the horrific reality of the Holocaust (5).
Notable events in the march's history include the initial journeys in 1986, when Baruch Adler, a child of a survivor, laid the groundwork for the first March of the Living (1). In 2025, the event marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, honoring both Holocaust survivors and the Allied forces who liberated the concentration camps (2)(4). Recent marches have featured prominent guests, such as the Polish and Israeli presidents, and former hostages, who walked alongside survivors to emphasize unity and remembrance (3)(5).
The March of the Living stands out amongst memorial events due to its incredible reach and impact. Since its inception, nearly 300,000 individuals have participated in the march (1). The educational aspect of the marches aims to promote a profound understanding of the Holocaust and foster appreciation for its historical significance. Additionally, over four dozen delegations from more than 40 countries participate, making the event a truly global endeavor dedicated to remembrance and unity (3).
- Despite the passage of nearly eight decades, the somber march through Auschwitz-Birkenau continues to be a significant reminder of the Holocaust, as demonstrated by the participation of leaders like Izchak Herzog and Andrzej Duda.
- In succeeding years, the March of the Living has grown in both reach and impact, attracting thousands of individuals from over 40 countries, thereby making it a truly global endeavor.
- As the annual March of the Living culminates in a solemn procession from Auschwitz to Birkenau, it serves as a poignant reminder of the millions who perished in the Holocaust, an act that no political power or general news report can erase.
- We may not be able to do anything about the past evils, but the March of the Living, with its international participation and educational emphasis, is a testament to mankind's unwavering resolve to remember, honor, and learn from the darkest chapters of history.
